How to Plant a Small Space Outdoor Garden?

Being at home has its benefits, especially when you have free time and extra hands to help with projects! If you have a small outdoor space and want to start a garden, here are some tips and supplies to get started. This is a great activity for the family to do together and doesn’t take too much to begin. There are many ways to transform an outdoor space into a beautiful, diverse garden! By Alexx J. for The Adventures of Pili

First things first…What’s your Zone??

Did you know the USDA has a plant hardiness zone mapthat determines which plants will thrive best in your region? You can check it out here! If you’re planting directly into the soil, this information is crucial.

Another useful resource is the https://www.farmersalmanac.com/ which can be used as a gardener’s guide for best plant care during the various seasons and tips for growing certain plants.

Photo by Elijah O’Donnell

After you’ve determined what kind of garden makes the most sense for your space, for example: in-ground, planter boxes, elevated & hanging planters, etc…then you can decide what you want to grow!

Photo by Huy Phan

Vegetables

Many vegetables can be grown in a small space as long as there are enough soil and sunshine to nourish them. Think greens and root vegetables that won’t spread or take up too much room. This includes lettuces, arugula, spinach, kale, chard, beets, carrots, radish, parsnip, cherry tomatoes, garlic, chives, shallots, beans, peas, zucchini and many types of herbs. Depending on the climate where you live and the season you are beginning to plant your garden, some veggies will thrive more than others. You can find growing tips from the seed packets themselves, but it is always a good idea to start your seeds inside and transfer them outside when they’ve sprouted and formed some roots. Starting plants in seed trays is a cheap and easy way to get started.

Photo by Free-Photos–242387

Fruits

There are certain types of fruits that don’t take much space to grow, but they DO need pollination from bees! Pro tip: if you’re going to grow fruits, you’ll also need to grow flowers to attract bees to your space. Fruits that can grow in a small space include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and small tree fruits like citrus, plums, figs, apricots, cherries and some types of apples and pears. Some tree fruits can grow in a deep pot, while others do require some deep soil for their roots. If you’ll be planting your small garden in above-ground boxes, consider the bushier or vine based fruits instead.

Photo by tom balabaud

Strawberries and tomatoes can be grown in a variety of creative ways including hanging baskets and PVC pipes with holes drilled out. But if you’re looking to try them out first, a large pot with holes around or hanging pot will do the trick. Check out the list of garden gear below to help you get started.

Flowers

Photo by Sarah Jane

Not only are flowers a beautiful way to add color and amazing aroma to your garden, but they will also help attract pollinators to help your fruits and vegetables flourish! Some of the prettiest, sweetest smelling flowers for your small space include lavender, marigold, daisy, tulips, sunflower, echinacea, goldenrod, and dandelion. If you do not have enough room for them to be planted in the ground, consider growing a variety of flowers that thrive in hanging baskets or large pots. While flowers don’t need as much soil room for roots, they do need sunlight and proper watering (& drainage)! If you grow them in large pots, it’s easier to bring them inside when there’s cold or troublesome weather. Some flowers seed by themselves while others will require more work. Also, you’ll probably want a combination of perennials and annuals; perennials grow year after year while lying dormant in cold months whereas annuals are planted in Spring or Summer and bloom during that season before dying. There are so many different kinds of flowers, some can even be eaten. Get creative with your outdoor space, you’ll be amazed at how much you can really grow!

By: Alexx J. for The Adventures of Pili. This is the latest post in the Pili´s Explorers Cookbook conceived by Kike Calvo and the team of The Adventures of Pili, which profiles interesting information, research, and thoughts on nutrition and food around the world for families and kids. Click here to read the previous article.